Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by Mac L — 21 Apr 2011

Another masterpiece by Paul Thomas Anderson. Barry is such a fun character to follow. He is socially awkward, he wants to be in full control of his life, and he wants intimacy but on his terms. The visuals and sounds of the film build up the emotions, but they also work together with one of Adam Sandler's best performances.

I find most of the story to be told on a more spiritual element. Lena is a woman who has been sent to bring Barry into a new realization of himself so that he can live a happier life. Barry gets stuck in a scheme put on by a fake phone sex hotline and he must defeat them in order to be with her.

The final confrontation between Barry and the mattress man is hilarious. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was the perfect choice for the role. I also love Anderson's use of colors in the film. At first, Barry is wearing a blue suit with a blue tie, but as he starts to open up and gets closer to Lena his tie turns red, just like the color of her dress.

The shots in the film are brilliant. The silhouettes of Lena and Barry coming together in Hawaii is one of my favorite moments in cinema history. Anyways, watch it more than once, you will get much more out of it each viewing.